Sheet-metal book-support



No. 607,891. Patented July 26, I898 J. 8. SMITH.

- INVENTOR. WITNESSES M S S I (AA/MM QM a KM A TTORNE YE,

its

JOEL SUMNER SMITH, OF NEIV HAVEN, CONNECTICUT.

SHEET-METAL BOOK-SUPPORT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 607,891, dated July 26,1898. Application filed August 21, 1897. Serial No. 649,076. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, J OEL SUMNER SM1TH,.

2, a side elevation of a modification of the above, and Fig. 3 an endelevation of the form shown in Fig. 2.

Similar letters of reference represent like parts in all figures.

This invention relates to supports for books, and more particularly tothat class which are adapted to be secured to shelves for books to holdthe books in an upright position on the shelves; and it consists in theproduction of a novel form of support, which may be constructed of sheetmetal or similar substance.

A metal frame-the main or upright portion of which is represented in thedrawings by the letter A has two arms a and a extending at right anglestherefrom at the top and bottom, respectively. To the upper arm a isriveted or otherwise secured a narrow strip or band of sheet metal B,which is bent in substantially rectangular form, Figs. 1 and 2, toconstitute the support proper for the books. A strengtheningrib C mayalso be secured to the arm a and to the band B at the points 0 to limitthe elasticity of the band. The other or lower end I) of the band B issecured to a block D, of wood or other suitable sub stance, by screws 1)or other means. Pivoted at e to the outer end of the arm a is a cam E,adapted to bear on the portion 1) of the band B, secured to the blockD.By turning the cam E by means of the handle 6 the eccentric surface ofthe cam forces the block D and end b of the band B downward, as

shown in dotted lines, Fig. 1, and upon the reverse movement of the camthe elasticity of the band B restores the block D and end 6 to theiroriginal positions. (Shown in full lines, Fig. l.)

A way or guide F is formed on the upright portion A of the frame, towhich it is riveted or otherwise secured. 'lheway F consists of a pieceof sheet metal doubled or folded to extend on both sides of the block Dto guide the same in its movements.

The support; is adapted to extend across the shelf, so that the lengthof the band will be at right angles to the length of the shelf and thelateral edges of the band are presented to the books to be supported.

Tosecure the support to the book-shelf, the lower arm a is fittedbeneath the shelf and the block D lowered by means of the cam E untilthe shelf is held tightly between it and the arm a. The support isreleased byswinging the cam back on its pivot, when the band B willraise the block from contact with the shelf.

The modification shown in Figs. 2 and 3' the block D. By means of theset-screw G,

as it is raised and lowered, the block D is raised and lowered to bindwith the arm a the bookshelf.

Ido not intend to confine myself to the particular'rectangular form inwhich the band is shown bent.

Having now described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure byLetters Pat: ent, is-

l. A book-support formed of a narrow band or strip of sheet metal bentabout on itself so that the ends thereof will be in proximity to eachother and the lateral edges of the band presented to the books, thewidth of the support being as great as the width of the band, togetherwith'connection betweenthe ends of the band or strip and means forholding said support in position on said shelf, substantially asdescribed.

2. Abook-support formed of anarrowband or strip of sheet metal bentabout on itself so that the ends thereof will be in proximity to eachother and the lateral edges of the band presented to the books, thewidth of the supsaid frame; substantially as described.

4.. The combination with a book-support formed of a band of sheet metal;of a frame having an arm adapted to fit against the book shelf, one endof the support being connected to the frame; a block to which the otherend of the support is attached, adapted to fit against the oppsitoe sideof the shelf; and

means for raising and lowering said block; substantially as described.

5. The combination with a book-support formed of a band of sheet metal;of a frame to which one end of said book-support is secured and havingan arm adapted to fit against the book-shelf a block to which the otherend of said support is secured, and which is adapted to fit against theother side of the bookshelf; and a cam pivoted to said frame and adaptedto lower said block against the resistance of said support;substantially as described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 19th day of August,A. D. 1897.

JOEL SUMNER SMITH.

Witnesses:

T. J. COLEMAN, SAMUEL H. FISHER.

